I'm So Busy!

What if we stopped telling each other how busy we are? Just a thought.

Someone asks, “How are you?” We usually don't go into a rant about our deepest feelings. However, I can imagine many of us have responded at some time “I’m so busy!”

Whether we’re in college, sporting a new job, thick into our careers, or even retired, we can all get caught in the trap of busyness and having overly busy schedules. Does it just seem like a way of life? Maybe summer is a time to slow down, reestablish rhythms, and get free from the crazy busy roller coaster of life.

I’m the kind of person that wants to make the most of each minute. Therefore, I work hard to fill those minutes, making them count. So, I can easily get caught in this crazy cycle of hurry.

Years ago, I took a two-week leadership class at a monastery in California with Dallas Willard, an American philosopher and influencer in Christian spiritual formation. During our time together we studied, practiced, and learned various spiritual disciplines to help us grow in our walk with God. Dallas called hurry “the great enemy of spiritual life in our day.” He said, “You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.”  I agree, but how?

Hurry is one of the biggest challenges you face in your life. How will you prioritize what’s important? Do you sometimes get too busy to spend time with those you love? Are you fully present with people or just running your "to-do" list in your head? Do you feel irritable when there’s a delay? Do you always feel behind schedule? Do you devote less time to self-care and more time to hurry? Do phone calls, emails, texts, and meetings become a bother to you?

When we run at breakneck speed, we rarely can develop spiritually, emotionally, and physically vibrant lives. We feel anxious and far from God. We get stuck in just trying to get through one more day. We just don’t ever seem to have enough time. Sara Kuburic writes “Always being busy has become an admirable way for people to avoid themselves.” So true.

Rich Villodas, in his book The Deeply Formed Life wrote “Our souls were not created for the kind of speed to which we have grown accustomed. Thus, we are a people who are out of rhythm, a people with too much to do and not enough time to do it. Our lives can easily take us to the brink of burnout. The pace we live at is often destructive. The lack of margin is debilitating. We are worn out. In all of this, the problem before us is not just the frenetic pace we live at but what gets pushed out of our lives as a result, that is, life with God.”

Summer should be a time of slowing down. Take time to make a list of the way you feel when you are busy and the way you feel when you’re not. Make a list of all your favorite ways to relax and enjoy summer. Then schedule, yes schedule, your time of fun. Maybe you need to change some things in your work environment. We often have created poor habits that have exacerbated a busy lifestyle. You don't always have to "be so busy!"  

Here is Jesus’ invitation just for you. 

“Are you tired? Worn out?  Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30

Take a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhoEktYO5w8

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio. 

Who are You?

Who are you? What do you place your identity in? “I’m a ________. “ Fill in the blank. We could place our identity in our abilities. Our career, success, or finances. Being popular. Our personality. (Introvert or Extravert) Our kids or grandkids. What we believe or don’t believe. Politics. How much we travel. Our exercise abilities. Our home. How busy we are. What we’re good at. These are just a few ways we find our identity.

Ephesians 2:10 says you and I are God’s handiwork. The word ‘handiwork’ means “God’s masterpiece” made in the image of God to reflect his image. Psalm 139:13 tells us that none of us are an accident or mistake! There were times I thought I was a mistake because I was a surprise baby and placed in adoption. I wasn’t “supposed” to be in this world. I know differently now. We are all made with a special identity!  God spoke to Jeremiah with these beautiful words that mean so much to me: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

When I came to know Jesus, I experienced new birth in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” My identity from that time forward was in Christ, not everything I'm tempted to place my identity in. I don’t need to look around horizontally for all sorts of things to find my identity. I get my identity by looking to Jesus. (vertically)

Sometimes, I don’t think we live in the identity of who we are. We fall prey to all the horizontal identities. The trouble is, we’re on a lifelong search to make it. To find an identity that sticks. We can end up living a superficial life, one filled with emptiness and hope in the here and now.

Consider this story of “The Lion Who Believed He Was a Sheep”:

One day a farmer was walking back from the forest. He came across a little lion cub. So, he brought the lion cub back home and gave it milk, water, and some food. Didn’t know what to do with it, put it with all the sheep that he had. Well, every day this kept happening, where he would give him the food, play with him a little bit, and then when the time came, he would put it with the sheep.

The time came, the cub grew a little bit bigger. Started going out in the fields, playing with the sheep, playing with the lambs.

One day, a really big lion came out of the jungle. And when the sheep heard the roar, they all scrambled hiding wherever they could, because they were afraid. The lion that had grown up with the sheep also did the same. The big lion stepped out of the forest seeing this lion trying to hide. Came over to him and said, Why are you hiding? He said, “You will eat me.”  The big lion said, “I am not going to eat you. Do you know who you are? Do you know that you are not a sheep, you are a lion.” The little lion said, “Whatever you say is fine with me, but please don’t eat me.”

Having seen, that this lion was not going to be convinced, the big lion took the little lion to a lake. And said, “Look at yourself, look at this reflection and see what you see.” And when the little lion looked at his reflection he said, “I am like you. Not like them.”

The big lion said, “Right, you are a lion.”

So, the little lion said, “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you so much.” And the lion said, “Why are you thanking me? I didn’t do anything. All I did was show you who you already were. I didn’t create something new here. I didn’t take a sheep and turn it into a lion. I took a lion and showed the lion, that you are a lion, not a sheep.” (As told by Bill Johnson)

If you know Jesus, your identity is in Christ. No matter what happened to you in the past or what labels others have placed on you, God looks at you with nothing but love. There is no sickness, no broken relationship, no abuse, no person that can steal you away from God’s love for you.

Maybe it’s time to live in your true identity.

You've got a lion inside of you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4juDJEZvjs

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Putting on a Good Face

When I talk to people, really talk to people, I realize that life isn’t always as rosy as it seems. We can all put on a good face, can’t we? We’ve learned in life the importance of being positive and optimistic, even if the reality may be less than ideal. Have you ever thought how many times in your life you’ve uttered the words “I’m fine” when you’re not? Too many to count.

I can imagine that most of us don’t feel comfortable blurting out exactly how we feel to every person who asks, “How are you?”. We just don’t do that. But it sure is important to have a few trusted friends we can share our struggles! I think it’s very important also to share our hearts with God. With God, we never have to put on a good face.

There have been a few things in my heart lately that have deeply troubled me. I can hide them from people, but I can’t hide them from God. God sees me and cares for me. He encourages me to cast my burdens (every one of them) on Him because He cares for me. (1 Peter 5:7) God truly wants to carry my burdens. Will I give my burdens to Him or end up trying to carry them myself?

It must grieve God when He sees plastic versions of ourselves where we stuff our emotions, pretending everything is OK. God knows fake. God knows real. He is alive, active, and personal. There is nothing that is hidden from Him. Hebrews 4:13 says “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.”  

We may fool others and even fool ourselves, but we cannot fool God. He knows what’s best for us and knows the truth about our thoughts and attitudes. I think God wants us to come to Him with all our doubts, our questions, and our struggles. God seeks a relationship with us!

When I allow myself to be 100% real with God I pour out my heart to Him freely. I can’t fake it. Subsequently, when I’m real with God and secure in Him, I can be myself and free with others. 

What questions do you have for God? What keeps you up at night? Tell God your stuff. 

How long, God? (Psalm 6:3, 2 Corinthians 4:16)
Why, God? (Psalm 42:11, 2 Corinthians 12:10)
Have you forgotten me? (Isaiah 49:14-24, Isaiah 41:10)
Why am I afraid? (1 John 4:16, Psalm 27:1, Deuteronomy 31:8)
How could you allow this, God? (Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 55:8)
What do I do, God? (James 1:5, Proverbs 2:3-8)
Why is there so much suffering? (Romans 8:18)

“Look deep into my heart, God, and find out everything I am thinking. Don’t let me follow evil ways but lead me in the way that time as proven true.” Psalm 139:23-24 (CEV)

Take a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIaT8Jl2zpI

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

The Honor of Your Presence

I imagine you’ve received an invitation with the words “Your presence is requested to join us in…..” It’s that time of year when we receive invitations for graduations or weddings. Maybe you’ve gotten one in the mail recently? The invite is all about presence….your presence. Often, an invite might say “We request the honor of your presence.”

What if we gave each other the honor of our presence? What if we were truly present in people’s lives? What if people felt love and acceptance when they were with us? What if we truly listened to others, not seeking to share our opinions? What if we truly inquired of people because we cared?

Throughout the Bible, we see that God desires nearness to His children. We also see that God sent His Son, Jesus, to this earth so that we could be in a relationship with Him. Jesus’ life is an example of how we should live. Jesus loved and accepted all people. Jesus listened, cared, and asked genuine questions. Jesus challenged us to die to ourselves in John 12:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” When we follow Jesus into His way of life, we can learn to die to ourselves. When we die to ourselves, we truly enter others’ lives because Jesus helps us to do so.

How could your work experience change if you fully gave others the honor of your presence? How could your closest relationships change if you honored them with your presence? Who in your life today needs you to be present for them?

Today, more than ever, many around us need support. Everyone you meet is fighting a battle about which you know absolutely nothing about. The honor of your presence and listening, really listening, can make a huge difference in someone’s life.

Seeing others as more important than ourselves isn’t easy. But God calls us to this type of life. We are to count others as more significant than ourselves. Only God can help us do that! Philippians 2:3 says “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”  

The gift of your presence can change everything.

May this be our prayer: Dear God, Thank You so much for Your presence. There is nowhere we can go from your presence. (Psalm 139:7) You long for a close relationship with Your children. Just as You are present with us, would you help us be present with others? Please show us how we can be more present in people’s lives. Lord, How can each of us be a reflection of Your love to them today? God, help us make a difference by giving others the honor of our presence. Amen.

God's presence is an open door! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wedYKosEe9k

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio. 

Stinking Things Up

I love walking early in the morning before the world wakes up. The problem is, that some critters are awake and enjoying this time of the day too. When humans and critters meet, things may not go so well.

I’ve learned to walk with an eye for what’s around me. Whether it's snakes or armadillos or skunks, I’m watching and noticing when Chara goes crazy. Usually, that’s a sign that something is amiss nearby.

Yesterday, it was a skunk. The skunk was running down the sidewalk like he owned it. I think he did! The problem was he was flying towards us! Chara and I immediately turned and took off in the opposite direction. We beat the skunk!

I always thought that skunks were slow and lazy critters. I found out that skunks can run up to 10 miles per hour. Skunks will chase an animal or human (or both in our case) away whenever they feel threatened, especially when they have babies nearby.

We will do whatever it takes to avoid a skunk. No one wants to get skunked! Chara and I’ve dealt with getting skunked one time and one time was enough.

We can run from skunks, but we must also run from the ways WE stink things up. 2 Corinthians 6:16 says “If we belong to Jesus, we are the temple of the living God and we are sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty.”  As Christians, do we realize who we are? Do we know that our calling is to be like Christ?

Do we treat people with grace and forgiveness?
Have we stunk things up with our negative talk?
Does your time on the internet pollute our thinking?
Has “sharing” about someone (gossiping) been something you've done?
Have your grudges about this or that made you stink it up?
Has your anger and attitude affected those around you?

Maybe it’s worth taking time to look at what stinks in us. Our actions and attitudes affect our relationship with God, our relationship with others, and how we feel about ourselves. Jesus cares and longs for us to deal with the stuff in us that stinks.

Now, more than ever, the world needs people who are committed to reflecting the aroma of Christ wherever we go. (2 Corinthians 2:15-17) Will you be that one?

“If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins- simply come clean about them- he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God-make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God.” 1 John 1:9

Take a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbWQV3OiRqA

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Fix Your Eyes

Chara, our English Springer, loves going to visit the residents of a nearby memory care facility. As she got out today, she was prancing with joy and bounding down the hallway to meet up with her people. Her people are sitting around in a circle in the TV room and she can’t wait to greet each one with love. All the while, she’s looking at Ben and I, eager to please, hoping a treat will come her way.

Chara doesn’t always aim to please her master perfectly. Although my husband often says “She’s the perfect dog…” there’s a lot of room for improvement. Like last week, when he took her for a walk, and she rolled in a dead armadillo. Yikes. She came back smelling like one.

For Chara, her people are her priority. That is, for the most part, what she fixes her focus on. I sense we can learn some eternal lessons from a dog.

Do we keep our eager eyes focused on God, always desiring to please Him? Will we be faithful to Him, even to the end? Will we remain attuned to God’s presence or be drawn down paths that leave their stench?

Summer is almost here. Even with a “slowing” down in our lives, there are always enough distractions of many good things that often lead us to forget the best thing.

The writer of Hebrews instructs us in a way of life that is possible and beautiful! Hebrews 12:1-2 says “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

What hinders you from keeping your focus on Jesus? How do you run with endurance? God has set out for each of us a race. God wants us to run our race and finish it well. Endurance

Is needed here. In Enduring Word Online Commentary, the writer speaks about endurance: “Endurance translates the ancient Greek word ‘hupomone”, which does not mean the patience which sits down and accepts things but the patience which masters them… it is a determination, unhurrying, and yet undelaying which goes steadily on and refuses to be deflected.”

I want that kind of tenacity and persistence. The secret of persistence is in the words “Fixing our eyes on Jesus.” He is the pioneer. He has gone before us. He empowers us moment by moment to learn to look to Him.

I want to fix my gaze continuously on the One who knows my name and loves me perfectly. Fixing our eyes on Jesus means we have our eyes locked on Him, not on the armadillos that stink things up.

May this be our prayer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hzVffdluFw

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

No Condemnation

Condemnation messes with us, doesn't it? Vocabulary.com defines condemnation as "expressing strong disapproval, pronouncing it as wrong or morally culpable."

Self-condemnation is those whispers of our minds telling ourselves various condemning thoughts: I’m not good enough. I’m a disappointment. Why did I say that? I’m so stupid. I’ll never be able to change. I always come up short. What’s wrong with me? I’m such a loser.

Self-condemnation can send our self-confidence down the drain. With self-condemnation, we forget what truths God says about us and start believing our negative mindset. How has self-condemnation affected you?

I’m not good with defending my self-condemnation. I’m thankful I don’t have to defend myself against myself. You don’t either! I’m thankful we have a God that will fight for us! (Exodus 14:13-14) God is our defender! As we spend time in God’s word and prayer, we gain confidence that gives life, while self-condemnation cuts down our spirit.

There is also another kind of condemnation. The condemnation that comes from others. Judging others is way too natural for us! Condemnation from others may sound like this: Did you hear about her? Did you hear what happened to him? I can’t believe she would do that! I want you to know about this situation so you can pray.

Condemnation from others not only hurts us deeply but affects the one who condemns us. The one who condemns thinks they are the authority on a person’s heart. They are not. Only God knows our hearts. Since we aren’t God, what right do we have to condemn? Those who condemn others try to ruin reputations by condemning others to show themselves better. When we condemn others, we have our own set of issues. Using our mouths to speak negativity can be natural. However, the words of life and encouragement breathe life into others.

Might we consider those times that WE have condemned others? I remember Amy Carmichael, a missionary from years ago, shared before we open our mouths, to consider these questions: Is what I’m about to say kind? Is it true? Is it necessary? It seems to me that the Holy Spirit could help us live and speak differently.

Would you like to be a person free from condemnation? You can be. Yes, there may be others who try to condemn you with their words, actions, or gossip. But the word of God tells us something profound: “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) No condemnation! None! Do you believe it? What would it look like for you to be free from condemnation? Can you imagine living life from human opinions and enjoying how God feels about you?

Take a listen: Freedom by Jesus Culture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKxeZsZvp7E

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.